Today, H.H. Pope Tawadros II anointed the relics of 14 patriarchs of the Coptic Orthodox Church located at the Monastery of Saint Macarius in the Wilderness of Scetis. Following this, the relics were transferred to newly prepared shrines in the ancient church of the monastery.

This event coincides with the commemoration of the consecration of the monastery’s church in 655 AD by Pope Benjamin I, the 38th Patriarch.

Before the anointing, His Holiness inspected the coffins containing the relics of the 14 patriarchs. Each patriarch was placed in a wooden coffin with a glass cover, through which the patriarch could be seen dressed in priestly vestments.

The anointing began with the reading of a formal document concerning the transfer, followed by the reading of each patriarch’s biography in chronological order. After each biography, the coffin containing the patriarch’s relics was carried in procession around the church while the deacons chanted hymns and praises. This process continued for all the patriarchs, concluding with their placement in their respective new shrines.

Several metropolitans, bishops, and monastery abbots participated in the ceremony alongside Pope Tawadros.

His Holiness also prayed the Divine Liturgy, joined by metropolitans, bishops, the General Deputy of the Patriarchate in Cairo, and the monastery’s monks.

Following the Gospel reading, the monastery delivered a word of thanks to His Holiness and the attending clergy. Pope Tawadros then gave a sermon, emphasizing the historic and unique nature of the day—not only for St. Macarius the Great’s Monastery but for the entire Church. He noted that around 29 patriarchs have emerged from the monastery throughout its history.

Regarding the 14 patriarchs whose relics are interred in the monastery, His Holiness mentioned that they served on the throne of Saint Mark between the 9th and 17th centuries, spanning over nine centuries.

He further highlighted that the construction of a new shrine for these patriarchs, placing them near the shrine of the three Macarii fathers, reflects the gratitude and love deeply rooted in the long history of the Coptic Church.

Pope Tawadros expressed his gratitude to the participating clergy and everyone who contributed to this event.

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